Origis Energy has announced the commencement of commercial operations at the 200-MW Escalante Solar power plant in McKinley County, New Mexico. Located on the site of the former Escalante Station coal-fired facility near Grants, the solar park began generating electricity on June 1, marking a significant milestone in regional renewable energy development.
The project is supplying power to Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association under a long-term power purchase agreement, as part of Tri-State's Responsible Energy Plan initiated in 2020. This agreement underscores a commitment to advancing clean energy solutions and meeting New Mexico's Energy Transition Act requirements ahead of schedule.
Gridworks and Array Technologies, based in Albuquerque, played crucial roles in the project's realization, providing construction services and the solar tracking system, respectively. Origis Energy finalized project tax equity funding in January to support the Escalante Solar initiative.
“Escalante Solar helps all our members get to 50% clean energy used in 2025, while meeting the requirements of New Mexico's Energy Transition Act five years ahead of schedule,” commented Tri-State CEO Duane Highley.
